By Harshit
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — JANUARY 21, 2026
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Switzerland for the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, entering the Alpine resort by helicopter after landing earlier in Zurich.
Trump and senior members of his administration boarded Marine One, the presidential helicopter, for the final leg of the journey to Davos, roughly 115 kilometres from Zurich. The arrival marks one of the most closely watched appearances of Trump’s second term, as tensions with European allies dominate the forum’s agenda.
Senior White House Officials Accompany Trump
Several top administration figures travelled with the president, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who was seen disembarking separately in Switzerland.
The White House confirmed Trump will hold multiple bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum, with Greenland, global security, and trade expected to dominate discussions.
Davos Overshadowed by Greenland Dispute
Trump’s arrival comes as European leaders openly challenge his insistence that the United States must acquire Greenland for national security reasons. The president has refused to rule out economic or military pressure to achieve that goal.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking in Parliament shortly before Trump reached Davos, said Britain would not yield to pressure over Greenland or tariffs, calling Trump’s approach “completely wrong.”
French President Emmanuel Macron earlier warned at Davos that tariffs and territorial threats risk undermining international law and multilateral stability.
Chagos Deal Adds to Transatlantic Strain
Further complicating Trump’s visit is his administration’s sharp criticism of the UK’s plan to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing the Diego Garcia military base.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Britain was “letting us down” on shared security interests, reinforcing Trump’s earlier claim that the deal was an act of “great stupidity.”
British officials maintain the agreement secures the long-term future of the joint US-UK base and was necessary due to adverse court rulings.
Speech Timing Uncertain After Flight Delay
Trump’s scheduled address to Davos was delayed after Air Force One was forced to turn back earlier in the day because of a minor electrical issue. Officials said the president is still expected to speak later Wednesday, with affordability, trade, and security likely to feature prominently.
Despite the confrontational backdrop, Trump struck an optimistic tone before departing Washington, saying he believed “things are going to work out pretty well.”
High-Stakes Visit for Global Markets and Diplomacy
Trump’s presence at Davos has reshaped the forum’s tone, with discussions originally focused on growth and climate now dominated by geopolitical uncertainty, US trade threats, and questions about the future of NATO unity.
Whether Davos produces compromise or confrontation remains uncertain, but Trump’s arrival has ensured the gathering begins under maximum political tension.